Eastern Maine Medical Center to Transfer Dialysis Clinic Ownership to DaVita

Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor has signed a letter of intent with DaVita, one of the nation’s largest for-profit dialysis chains, to transfer ownership of its kidney dialysis clinics in Bangor, Ellsworth and Lincoln as well as its home dialysis program, according to a Bangor Daily News report.

The deal also calls for DaVita to take over management of inpatient acute dialysis services at the hospital.

At a recent hearing, a nurses union and patient advocates voiced opposition to the deal. Concerns center on whether DaVita will put profits ahead of patients and “highjack” local physicians’ decisions about patient care, according to the report. Advocates of the sale contradicted the nurses union, arguing that DaVita is better than EMMC on many quality measures and has the expertise to manage the dialysis clinics successfully.

The deal will be reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Services, and a preliminary recommendation is expected in August.

Eastern Maine Medical Center to Transfer Dialysis Clinic Ownership to DaVita

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